Elliott Joseph Echols passed away peacefully on July 7, 2018 at the Brier Nursing and Rehab Center in Ronceverte, WV at the age of 96.

Elliott will be missed by his children Sandra McLaughlin of Dunedin, FL and Geraldine and Larry Burns of White Sulphur Springs, WV; his grandchildren, Mathew and Amber Burns of Flagstaff, AZ, Chad and Tiffany Burns of White Sulphur Springs, WV, Patrick and Amelia Burns of White Sulphur Springs, WV, Debbie and Michael Schaeffer of Union Bridge, MD, Dean Pennington of Union Bridge, MD and Renee Pennington of Union Bridge, MD, and several great grandchildren.

Elliott is preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Lucille Echols; parents, Ben and Frances Echols of Philomath, GA; siblings, Ben Thomas Echols of Philomath GA, Lois Rutherford of Union Point, GA, Gertrude Tyler of Washington, GA, Marjorie Tyler of Washington GA, David Austin Echols of Philomath, GA and Wynelle Broome of Washington, GA; son-in-law, Jim McLaughlin of Dunedin, FL.

Elliott was born on January 9, 1922 in Philomath, GA. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1936 and served until 1939, when he fulfilled his contract.

He proudly served his country in the United States Coast Guard from 1939 – 1970, spending 5 years on the USCG Cutter Campbell W-32 serving in peace and during World War II in the Atlantic.

During his career in the United States Coast Guard, he lived a very interesting life traveling and living in various countries including Greenland, Denmark, and England. Elliott had many interesting stories that he loved to share and spoke fondly of the time spent in the United States Coast Guard where he retired as a Chief Warrant Officer IV.

Upon his retirement, Elliott settled on a farm in Alvon, WV, where he helped found the Anthony Creek Rescue Squad and served as an EMT/firefighter for over 20 years. He later moved to White Sulphur Springs, where he lived out the rest of his years with his wife and his family.

Elliott loved his church, his family, his service to our country, telling stories about his life, and spending time in his garden.

The family welcomes all to attend and celebrate the life of Elliott at a reception help Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in White Sulphur Springs and all are welcome to attend the funeral mass which is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 12th. Father Jim Conyers will officiate with interment to follow with Military Honors at Greenbrier Memorial Gardens in Lewisburg.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you perform an act of kindness or service in Elliott's honor as that is how he spent his life, helping and serving others.

The Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.